2025 All-Sophomore Team
Some of the best players in Michigan high school hockey from the Class of 2027
Craig Peterson
March 12, 2025
Some were returners with veteran experience. Others joined their respective programs for the first time. Speaking from experience, I’ve found that the biggest, most notable jump in development happened between freshman and sophomore years. Whether as returners or newcomers, these 24 prospects found ways to make significant impacts to their 21 different Michigan high school hockey programs this season.
There was certainly no 'sophomore slump' for these top performers from the Class of 2026. Some led their teams in scoring. Others already sporting leadership letters on their jerseys. All of them impressive well beyond their years of experience. Twenty-five players from 21 different Michigan high school hockey programs across the state represent this season's All-Sophomore Team.
My criteria for the All-Sophomore Team:
- Overall skill, ability and potential
- Impact and role they played to their respective team
- Performance and production
A look at some of the most impressive performers from the Class of 2027 during the ‘24-25 season:
FORWARDS
Brayden Buckler
L | 2009 | Rochester United
Connor Blackwood
L | 2009 | De La Salle
Santino Venturini
L | 2009 | Gabriel Richard
Brody McNamara
R | 2009 | Divine Child
Adalar Hovis
L | 2009 | Grosse Ile
Brayden Buckler
L | 2009 | Rochester United
Connor Blackwood
L | 2009 | De La Salle
Santino Venturini
L | 2009 | Gabriel Richard
Brody McNamara
R | 2009 | Divine Child
Adalar Hovis
L | 2009 | Grosse Ile
Tim Peterson
L | 2009 | Brighton
Tevin Stukel
R | 2008 | Hancock
Eli Harrell
L | 2009 | Wyandotte
Brady Chippa
R | 2009 | Novi
Tim Peterson
L | 2009 | Brighton
Tevin Stukel
R | 2008 | Hancock
Eli Harrell
L | 2009 | Wyandotte
Brady Chippa
R | 2009 | Novi
Seth Sandstrom
R | 2008 | Marquette
Isaiah House
R | 2008 | Brother Rice
Brody Donnelly
L | 2008 | Houghton
Thaddeus Raynish
R | 2007 | OLSM
Andrew Weidenbach
R | 2009 | Salem
Seth Sandstrom
R | 2008 | Marquette
Isaiah House
R | 2008 | Brother Rice
Brody Donnelly
L | 2008 | Houghton
Thaddeus Raynish
R | 2007 | OLSM
Andrew Weidenbach
R | 2009 | Salem
Rochester United Forward Brayden Buckler
A top producer for Rochester United, Brayden Buckler scored 19 goals and 40 points in his first season of varsity hockey. He finished with points in 11 of the last 13 games, including a point in each of RU’s three postseason games.
Brighton Forward Tim Peterson
Arguably Brighton’s top forward this season, with a full 200-foot game from the center position. Tim Peterson scored 10 goals and 22 points — five more than his freshman year — and six coming in games against Top-25 teams.
Marquette Forward Seth Sandstrom
One of the best skaters in the Class of 2027 with fantastic footwork and a beautiful stride. Seth Sandstrom scored five goals and 18 points this season for Marquette, with five multi-point games and remains one of the top prospects in the grade.
De La Salle Forward Connor Blackwood
After recording just three points in his first nine varsity games, Connor Blackwood turned a corner late by scoring eight points in the final eight games of the regular season. In total, Blackwood scored five goals and 13 points showing great strides for the future.
Hancock Forward Tevin Stukel
An absolute buzzsaw on the forecheck who led Hancock in all facets this season. Tevin Stukel’s 18 goals and 37 points were most on the team, recording a point in each of the Bulldogs’ final 11 games including the playoffs.
Brother Rice Forward Isaiah House
Scored 16 of his 26 points this season before Christmas break. Isaiah House started his varsity career on fire, but even as his production slowed, he still demonstrated a well-rounded game and skill set that made House an integral forward in the Warriors’ Frozen Four playoff run.
Houghton Forward Brody Donnelly
Brody Donnelly proved to be a point-per-game guy in his first full season with Houghton. He scored 15 goals and 31 points, displaying great deceptive skills with the puck on his stick and an ability to finish with an open look.
Riverview Gabriel Richard Forward Santino Venturini
Santino Venturini posted a second straight 20-point season for Riverview Gabriel Richard. His 11 goals and 31 points in ‘24-25 were highlighted by a five-point game against Chelsea where the Pioneers won 5-2.
Wyandotte Forward Eli Harrell
With 44 goals and 57 points, Eli Harrell was the highest scoring skater in the Class of 2027 this season. He factored in on 59.4 percent of Wyandotte’s total offense this season, including a seven-game stretch where Harrell scored 18-of-37 goals.
Orchard Lake St. Mary’s Forward Thaddeus Raynish
Thaddeus Raynish led Orchard Lake St. Mary’s off the ice as a team captain and on the it with 26 goals and 43 points. Seven of those points came during the Eaglets’ five-game playoff run that culminated with a Division-III state title.
Divine Child Forward Brody McNamara
Doubled his point total from freshman year with 44 points in 25 games this season. Brody McNamara opened up ‘24-25 on a 12-game point streak, and scored points in 15 of the Falcons’ 16 wins this season.
Novi Forward Brady Chippa
Creative offensively and able to manipulate defenders off the rush. Brady Chippa flashes some fancy moves, propelling him to eight goals and 25 points this season for Novi, finishing third on the team in scoring.
Grosse Ile Forward Adalar Hovis
With back-to-back 50-point seasons, Adalar Hovis is the highest scoring active player in the Class of 2027, with 109 in 51 career games. He recorded a point in all but two games this season for Grosse Ile, and ended his sophomore year on a six-game point streak.
Salem Forward Andrew Weidenbach
His ability to skate without the puck makes Andrew Weidenbach a standout prospect. He plays with pace and held his own after coming over from 14U AAA Compuware last season. Weidenbech finished with nine goals and 23 points, including five points in the playoffs.
DEFENSE
Cam Roe
L | 2009 | Wyandotte
Jake Rau
L | 2008 | Tri-Valley
Joel Ziecina
R | 2008 | Bay Reps
Cam Roe
L | 2009 | Wyandotte
Jake Rau
L | 2008 | Tri-Valley
Joel Ziecina
R | 2008 | Bay Reps
Lewis Gardine
R | 2009 | Grandville
Sam Masek
L | 2008 | DCC
Elliot Mason
R | 2009 | Bay Reps
Brady Nolfo
R | 2009 | Marysville
Lewis Gardine
R | 2009 | Grandville
Sam Masek
L | 2008 | DCC
Elliot Mason
R | 2009 | Bay Reps
Brady Nolfo
R | 2009 | Marysville
Wyandotte Defenseman Cam Roe
A big, second-year D-man for Wyandotte, Cam Roe led the team from the back end with 12 goals and 29 points. Positionally, he’s in the right spots and finishes checks on opposing puck carriers, making his presence felt at both ends of the rink.
Grandville Defenseman Lewis Gardine
LewIs Gardine oozes potential as an exciting prospect in the Class of 2027. He’s all of 6-foot-2 with a raw, promising skill set that makes him a stout defender and effective puck mover. Gardine finished his sophomore season with 15 goals and 25 points for Grandville.
Tri-Valley Defenseman Jake Rau
One of the most improved defensemen from the Class of 2027, Jake Rau followed up a solid freshman campaign with an even better sophomore year. In just 17 games, Rau scored 10 goals and 26 points for the first-year co-op.
Detroit Catholic Central Defenseman Sam Masek
A top-four defenseman for Detroit Catholic Central who saw significant time on both special teams. Sam Masek’s 15 points brought his two-year career total to 25 during his time with the Shamrocks; he even added points in six of the team’s final eight games of the season.
Bay Reps Defenseman Joel Ziecina
Joel Ziecina is a compact defender who skates well and handles pucks in rhythm. The 2008-born righty posted a second straight 10-point season for the developing Bay Reps, and could serve as a cornerstone piece for the program for the foreseeable future.
Bay Reps Defenseman Elliot Mason
A well-rounded skill set and a defender who is very fluid in his movements. Elliot Mason is comfortable with the puck on his stick, scoring three goals and 12 points this season for the Bay Reps.
Marysville Defenseman Brady Nolfo
Reminds me of Luke Miller from Alpena last season. Brady Nolfo has good footwork and puck skills to match. Spent some time on Marysville’s top power play unit, serving as a facilitator up top and showing a real ability to move the play along in a positive way.
GOALIES
Liam Villalobos
L | 2009 | Plymouth
Brycyn Nettell
L | 2008 | Houghton
Hunter Bennett
L | 2008 | Lakeland
Liam Villalobos
L | 2009 | Plymouth
Brycyn Nettell
L | 2008 | Houghton
Hunter Bennett
L | 2008 | Lakeland
Plymouth Goalie Liam Villalobos
Overall numbers won’t ‘wow’ you, with a 3.47 goals-against average and .907 save percentage. Considering Liam Villalobos faced five Top-25 opponents and the 22nd toughest strength of schedule, he proved more than capable. Made 30 or more saves in 11-of-18 starts this season.
Houghton Goalie Brycyn Nettell
Houghton had a solid goalie tandem that was tasked with replacing one of the winningest goalies in program history. Brycyn Nettell led the way with a 13-5-0 record, posting a 2.52 goals-against average while facing 10 Top-25 teams this season.
Lakeland Goalie Hunter Bennett
In his first season with Lakeland, Hunter Bennett made 18 starts with a 2.43 goals-against average and .899 save percentage. At one point this season, he won 10 consecutive starts for the Eagles, finishing with a 13-4-0 record overall.
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